Chelsea put aside their off-field problems to go 11 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership table with a 1-0 win over West Brom last night.

All talk of the Jose Mourinho-Anders Frisk saga and the alleged tapping-up of Ashley Cole was cast aside as Didier Drogba slid home Damien Duff's low cross in the 26th minute to see off the struggling Baggies.

Chelsea dominated the game but were made to hang on at the end thanks to Drogba's poor finishing.

He squandered a host of chances after putting them in front - including one which he sent over the bar from six yards.

Assistant boss Steve Clarke denied that Mourinho had not appeared for the Press conference because he was disenchanted with the criticism he had received this week.